BANDON - Bandon’s Gorse Blossom Festival is an opportunity to highlight a thorn in the side of the beloved Oregon Coast while at the same time celebrating the seafood, beer and wine from all over the region. And it’s almost here! Come join in the festivities on President’s Day weekend, Feb. 16-18 inside the Port of Bandon’s Old Town Marketplace building, 250 First St. SW in Old Town.

Kicking off the festival will be beer, wine and food vendors from throughout the West Coast featuring whites, reds, sours, ales, ciders and porters, along with oysters, pizza, crab, chowder and chili. Enjoy winemaker or brewmaker dinners that celebrates partnerships between local restaurants and regional breweries and wineries. Engage in the epic Bloody Mary Stroll on Sunday morning.

There will be art and entertainment with live music from 10 different bands. And the Gorse Action Group will be on hand throughout the three-day festival to illustrate the need for gorse eradication.

Tickets for the festival are $10 for Friday, $10 for Saturday and $7 for Sunday and include a commemorative glass to be used for beer and wine sampling along with tokens for three free samples. Doors open at 3 p.m. on Friday and close at 9 p.m. Saturdays continues from noon to 10 p.m. On Sunday, doors will open at 11 a.m., with the festival closing at 3 p.m.